from the shimmering shores of lake como to the glimmering gull-wings of vintage cars, the concorso d’eleganza shines the limelight on all the laws of luxury. the 2018 edition, once more held at the glamorous grand hotel villa’d’este and staged by BMW, exclusively exhibited outstanding rare treasures from the world of automobiles and motorcycles under the motto ‘hollywood on the lake’. the field of 50 strong was divided into eight classes, before just one took away the prize as the best of show. whilst this was a ferrari 335 sport spider, the models on show ranged from marc newson’s vintage racer to dated formula one machines. with designboom one of the few invitees, we highlight five of most notable designs on show this year.

all images courtesy of BMW group classic

1 – 1934 bugatti 59

starting from class A – the titans: direct, dust and danger – marc newson exhibited a 1934 bugatti 59, which, in line with its heritage, won its division. the model, one of only eight built, was the last in the line of the great grand prix racing cars that bugatti developed in the 1930s. it features the maker’s now distinctive beam axles and cable breaks, which were even unfavorable back in those times, and are paired with an inline 8 engine that produces 3,257 cc and 250 hp at 6,200 rpm.

marc newson (left)

image © designboom

2 – 1968 alfa romeo 33/2 stradale

the 39-inch tall alfa romeo 33/2 stradale won the coppa d’oro at the concorso d’eleganza villa d’este 2018, which is voted for by the public. the 1968 model, just one of twelve made, entered class D – a new world, new ideas: the story of the GT – and wondered with its spectacular body shrouding and doors that opened sky high. the mid-engine, sports coupe was, unsurprisingly, sculpted by the great italian coachmaker scaglione. underneath the lightweight exterior, it holds a V8 engine that produces 1,996 cc and 230 hp at 8,800 hp.

3 – 1958 fiat 500 spiaggia

although not an official award at the concorso, the fiat 500 spiaggia won the ‘cutest’ car award at the event, according to designboom. the 1958 model, crafted by spiaggina, was based on the namesake fiat but transformed into a beach version. only two were made, with this one driven until 1973 and still in its original condition. the body uses materials like timber, rattan and aluminum sheets, whilst beneath it holds an inline 2 engine with 479 cc and 13 hp at 4,000 rpm.

4 – 1970 lancia stratos

in complete contrast, our next highlight is this 1970 lancia stratos, bathed in its iconic metallic orange color that, depending on light, changes in an almost endless palette of shades. as the winner of its category, class G – hollywood on the lake: stars of the silver screen – the model amazes with its sharply sculpted exterior to the point where the whole front functions as its door. crafted by bertone, the car features a V4 engine with 1,584 cc and 115 hp at 6,200 rpm.

5 – 1929 rolls-royce phantom

as the winner of class B – from manhattan to mayfair: the golden age of motoring opulence – it is quite fitting that this 1929 rolls-royce phantom was once driven by nelson rockefeller, the governor of the state of new work and later the US vice-president. created in springfield, massachusetts, it was crafted by brougham de ville at the brewster & co. all of its exposed metal parts are adorned in gold plating, as well as its rear of varnished wicker.